The Story Of Bunny And Fox

Vol 4 (Side Story 1): The first day (3)

"If it's okay, can you please stop talking about Hazel?"

A tired smile appears on Ash's face. Aaron nods at the polite request. He smiles wryly .

"Okay then."

It looks like the conversation has ended, Karlyle turns his back first and walks away. His trembling fingers keep clutching his pants. Just like that, he returns to his seat, face devoid of any emotion. When Natalie asks where he has been, he makes up a story that he just had to take a sudden work call. When he sits down, Aiden looks at him with a strange expression.

Karlyle lowers his gaze and stares at the white, round plate. He can see his own face distorted on the surface of the fork next to it. The reflection is as ugly as his heart.

Did Ash and Hazel want to get married before?

If he could shape his mind, Karlyle's heart now would obviously look like a crumpled piece of paper. There is a tingling lump inside his stomach. He quietly picks up his fork, frustrated.

Whether or not Hazel was precious to Ash has nothing to do with Karlyle. Now Ash has only Karlyle. Not everyone loves only one person in their lifetime. Rather, such a person is rarer. Karlyle knows this, too. Even Aiden has had several lovers, and Karlyle himself didn't believe the concept of love before he met Ash.

How pathetic it is to dwell on the past and compare it to the present. Karlyle didn't think he was such an idiot. But when it comes to Ash, all logic falls apart.

To be honest, Karlyle feels that their relationship has reached its final form these days. If they continue to live together like this, he secretly hopes that he can be Ash's companion in the not-too-distant future.

He had once thought of marriage as a mere tool, but now that thought is gone. He wants to keep Ash completely to himself. He wants them to be partners who can share their last names and legally engage in each other's affairs. He wishes for them to become destiny defined by society. He wants to be able to confidently and naturally say Ash is his partner. If so, Ash will be perfectly by his side. Ash is a good man, he won't abandon him if they are married.

But Ash has never talked about marriage. He told him that he wanted them to live together, they even found a house. Of course such an enormous commitment  would take time, so he decided to wait as long as possible.

But if Ash has already thought of marrying someone else before meeting Karlyle, that changes things. Doesn't that mean Ash’s feelings for Karlyle don’t run as deep as they did for the person in his past?

The childish thought stops there. Because there’s a hand resting on his shoulder. Ash's sweet scent wafts from behind. Karlyle turns his head.

"Have you waited long? I'm sorry."

The friendly curving eyes are looking at him. A beautiful sight like always. The sight of Ash looking at only him brings a breathtaking impression. Voices roaring from behind.

Karlyle gradually comes to his senses. This party is supposed to be fun. Everyone has made time in their schedule to come here to celebrate the day they officially begin living together. Karlyle has a duty to enjoy this time and serve his guests with diligence.

Therefore, all unnecessary thoughts and emotions must be pushed aside. 

When being hurt, Karlyle will overlay his duty on his feelings, like he has always done. He has to make this day a pleasant occasion somehow.

"It's alright. You came just in time."

Karlyle makes eye contact with Ash. He thinks to himself that he is okay. Ash gently looks down at him, like he’s gauging something. The straight gaze seems to see through his facade , so Karlyle averts his gaze and turns it to the people.